Northrop promotes health exec

In another sign of the growing importance of the health information technology market, Northrop Grumman Corp. has promoted the leader of that line of business.

George Peach Taylor Jr. was named as the Los Angeles-based systems integrator's vice president and the company's first chief medical officer. Previously, he was vice president of the health IT program.

The company also promoted Amy King to fill Taylor’s spot at Northrop Grumman IT.

In his new post, Taylor will provide strategic direction for Northrop’s health, homeland security, biomedical sciences and human system integration business.

He joined the company in 2008, coming from PricewaterhouseCoopers. He retired in 2006 as a lieutenant general and surgeon general of the Air Force.

As vice president of health IT program, King will oversee the company’s health business. She previously was director of health care systems management. She joined joined Northrop in 2006, coming from CGI, where she was vice president of the public-sector health account group.

Northrop Grumman is ranked No. 3 on the 2009 Washington Technology Top 100 list of the largest government contractors.